Making Music

Read 1 Chronicles 23-26
 
1 Chronicles 25:5-8 All these were the sons of Heman, the king’s seer, for God had honored him with fourteen sons and three daughters. 6 All these men were under the direction of their fathers as they made music at the house of the Lord. Their responsibilities included the playing of cymbals, harps, and lyres at the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman reported directly to the king. 7 They and their families were all trained in making music before the Lord, and each of them – 288 in all – was an accomplished musician. 8 The musicians were appointed to their term of service by means of sacred lots, without regard to whether they were young or old, teacher or student.
 
DAVID was a great song writer. And there were others. Perhaps one we’ve heard of is Asaph. This gifted musician wrote Psalms 50, 73-83. As David is preparing for the Temple to be built after his death, he includes the development of a system for constant, high-quality music in God’s house.
   Heman is the seer – the prophet – who was God’s voice to David at this time. God also blessed Heman with sons and daughters who were trained to play music on various instruments. Their vocation and giftedness was essential to honor the Holy God in his house.
   Haman, Asaph and their brother Ethan came from Korah’s line. Recall in Numbers that Korah was one of three men who conspired against Moses. The LORD judged these three rebels and their families to death, swallowed into the earth. But you see God’s grace. God preserved some of Korah’s family to do a mighty work we read today.    
   Music is another way God has revealed himself to us. But unfortunately it has long been a two-edged sword in the church. It has been a means to draw people together to hear God’s Word, praise God’s grace and confess one’s sins. It has also been a dividing sword to cut a church into two or more segments as people argue over instruments, style, words and anything else they can consider.
   What we can learn from these and other verses about the music is that it was done through God. I AM gifted musicians to write and sing music. Yahweh gave such gifts to glorify and worship His Name in his Holy Temple. The music was not about pleasing one’s musical taste or cultural preferences. It was about obeying God’s number one command: You shall not have any other god but me. (Exodus 20:3)
   God’s method was to include all and to keep them humble. The musicians were appointed to their term of service by means of sacred lots, without regard to whether they were young or old, teacher or student. How good it is to understand God’s design. Music should come from all ages as God gifts his own. Music in God’s house is to be a unifying, worshipful experience. We will learn more of God’s music as we break now from Israel’s history to soon begin Israel’s music in the psalms.
 
Psalms 75:1 For the choir director: A psalm of Asaph. A song to be sung to the tune “Do Not Destroy!” 1 We thank you, O God! We give thanks because you are near. People everywhere tell of your wonderful deeds.